KQED's Forum How a Federal Shutdown and New Trump Edicts are Changing Government
Oct 6, 2025
Molly Ball, a former senior political correspondent, discusses the chaotic negotiations over the government shutdown, highlighting a lack of urgency on Capitol Hill. Philip Bump dives into the historical use of shutdowns as political leverage and the implications of ongoing budget battles. Domenico Montanaro sheds light on the legal limits surrounding military deployments and the potential risks of using federal troops for domestic issues. Together, they explore how the Trump administration is reshaping political norms and the impact on democratic processes.
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Shutdown Felt Like Sleepwalking
- Recent shutdown felt like a sleepwalk, not a frantic last-minute fight to avert disaster.
- Molly Ball says mutual mistrust and little negotiation made this shutdown unusually normalized.
Budget Battles Became A Partisan Tool
- Shutdowns grew more common as the budget became a partisan cudgel over the past 15 years.
- Philip Bump notes parties increasingly use funding fights to pressure presidents and policy agendas.
ACA Protection Drives Democratic Resolve
- Democrats framed the fight as protecting Affordable Care Act subsidies and avoiding higher premiums for Americans.
- Philip Bump says defending the ACA is both policy and political base signaling.
